3 Best Solar Companies in Bristol, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Bristol based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Bristol, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Bristol homeowner saves $1,052/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Bristol
If you’re a home or business owner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in Bristol, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which company to decide on. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar power is typically a good idea. Since Bristol is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're researching installing solar panels.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Bristol, you might notice that there are many providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated a curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Bristol, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Bristol
Future Smart
Clear Pricing Policy- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Permit Assistance- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Ecological Energy Systems
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Collaborative Solar, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Bristol
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Bristol based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Bristol
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Virginia solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Bristol
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar company to go with comes down to costs.A few important factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- average energy usage: The more electricity your household consumes on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.
- Incentives: One thing that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your power bills, which can result in an average of $13,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The amount of sunlight your house gets: Thanks to Bristol’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electric bills.
There are many great benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your wallet. Plus, it can raise the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Bristol
There are a lot of reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them includes some government incentives that can save you money.Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 0 of your project costs when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives you can benefit from too. You can find out about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Bristol
Lots of people want to do what they can to help the environment, which in many cases is the prime motivation to install solar panels.A question many might be thinking about is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? The amount of energy you use is an important factor to keep in mind. The more power your home uses, the greater your impact when you go solar.In Bristol, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 20 pounds a year once they go solar. The good things about solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many Bristol residents have been happy with committing to solar.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Bristol, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Bristol, Future Smart is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it can provide a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, the startup costs are high and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 19.1 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.